GFAI 2024 Convention & Trade Show
We are excited to be back in St. Louis at the beautiful and historic Union Station Hotel and hope to see you there!
St. Louis Union Station Hotel: 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Convention is the perfect opportunity to help you and your company achieve a Championship Season through educational sessions, motivational and impactful speakers, networking with others in the grain and feed industry and learning about the latest and greatest products from our exhibitors.
See you in St. Louis February 18-20, 2024! Speaker, sessions and agenda are listed below.
*GFAI does not sell our attendee lists so ignore emails or phone calls asking for the attendee list or any other information regarding our convention. All GFAI convention information will be sent out from the GFAI office.
St. Louis Union Station Hotel: 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Convention is the perfect opportunity to help you and your company achieve a Championship Season through educational sessions, motivational and impactful speakers, networking with others in the grain and feed industry and learning about the latest and greatest products from our exhibitors.
See you in St. Louis February 18-20, 2024! Speaker, sessions and agenda are listed below.
*GFAI does not sell our attendee lists so ignore emails or phone calls asking for the attendee list or any other information regarding our convention. All GFAI convention information will be sent out from the GFAI office.
Thank You Convention Sponsors!
Attendee Registration
Pre-registration online is closed. You can email info@gfai.org by Noon on Friday, February 16th to pre-register. On Site registration will be available Sunday and Monday. $190 for GFAI members and $225 for non members. Monday only rates are $130.
Pre-registration online is closed. You can email info@gfai.org by Noon on Friday, February 16th to pre-register. On Site registration will be available Sunday and Monday. $190 for GFAI members and $225 for non members. Monday only rates are $130.
See Who's Coming To Convention!
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Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket and helped raise more than $6,000 for the GFAI Scholarship Fund!
Don't forget to add a Draw Down Raffle Ticket to your registration to support the GFAI Scholarship Fund! Only 200 tickets sold. 1st place winner receives $2500. Tickets can be added to your registration or click on the ticket to purchase tickets: $50 a ticket.
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Exhibitor Information
The exhibitor packet contains all the information needed including set up and tear down times, the Trade Show Layout and Exhibitor Booth Reservation. You must order your electricity through the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
**Decorate your booth to fit our Championship Season Sports Theme and the booth that receives the most votes for best theme will receive a free regular booth for the 2025 Trade Show!
The exhibitor packet contains all the information needed including set up and tear down times, the Trade Show Layout and Exhibitor Booth Reservation. You must order your electricity through the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
**Decorate your booth to fit our Championship Season Sports Theme and the booth that receives the most votes for best theme will receive a free regular booth for the 2025 Trade Show!
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Hotel Information: St. Louis Union Station Hotel
The room block has expired. Call (314) 802-3446 or (314) 802-3449 to see if any rooms are still available.
The room block has expired. Call (314) 802-3446 or (314) 802-3449 to see if any rooms are still available.
Convention Games and Entertainment!
Scholarship Meet & Greet: Meet the current GFAI Scholarship Recipients at a reception in the trade show. The first 150 people to stop by and say hi will receive a gift! Sunday 4:45 - 5:45 pm at the Scholarship Table inside the Trade Show.
Casino Night: Try your hand at Craps, Blackjack or Roulette and cash in your winnings for tickets to win great prizes. Free for convention registrants. Not a gambler? Stop by to visit and have an after dinner drink and wind down the evening. Sunday 8:30-10:30 pm
Play the Trade Show game: Game instructions and game board will be available in the convention booklet for a chance to win $500! Must be present on Monday, February 19 to win.
Vote For The Best Exhibitor Booth: Cast your vote for the Exhibitor Booth with the best Championship Season Sports Theme! Ballots will be available at the Registration Desk.
Live and Silent Auction: Visit the Silent Auction Table in the Trade Show. Bidding will close on Monday at 4:45 pm.
Scholarship Meet & Greet: Meet the current GFAI Scholarship Recipients at a reception in the trade show. The first 150 people to stop by and say hi will receive a gift! Sunday 4:45 - 5:45 pm at the Scholarship Table inside the Trade Show.
Casino Night: Try your hand at Craps, Blackjack or Roulette and cash in your winnings for tickets to win great prizes. Free for convention registrants. Not a gambler? Stop by to visit and have an after dinner drink and wind down the evening. Sunday 8:30-10:30 pm
Play the Trade Show game: Game instructions and game board will be available in the convention booklet for a chance to win $500! Must be present on Monday, February 19 to win.
Vote For The Best Exhibitor Booth: Cast your vote for the Exhibitor Booth with the best Championship Season Sports Theme! Ballots will be available at the Registration Desk.
Live and Silent Auction: Visit the Silent Auction Table in the Trade Show. Bidding will close on Monday at 4:45 pm.
Sessions and Speakers
Keynote Speaker Karl Mecklenburg, Former NFL Captain & All-Pro Player Teamwork and Leadership in a Changing World Karl Mecklenburg rose from a college walk-on and twelfth round draft choice to an NFL career with the Denver Broncos that included 3 Super Bowl and 6 Pro Bowl appearances. Widely considered the most versatile player in the NFL, Mecklenburg played all 7 defensive front positions, often in the course of a single game. In 1987, Karl was selected as both the AFC Linebacker of the Year and the AFC Player of the Year. Since retiring, this former Broncos captain has been enshrined in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Mecklenburg has been a semifinalist for the pro football hall of fame each of the last five years. As a speaker and author, he has dedicated himself to inspiring long term positive change in teams and individuals. We look forward to Karl ushering in our "Championship Season!" |
Monday Educational Breakout Sessions
Don’t Fumble Your Coverage! Property Insurance Claims in the Grain Industry: Presented by Reid Clary, Vice President AssuredPartners Agribusines
Score big with Reid Clary from Assured Partners Agribusiness as he takes to the field to break down property insurance challenges unique to the grain and feed industry. Explore the claims process, strategize for the future, and master the new terminology in the insurance game. Attendees will also get coached on elevating their property risk profile.
Cyber Defense Playbook: Securing the Agribusiness Field: Presented by Timothy J. Gotta, J.D., USI’s Midwest, Central and Mountain West Regional Cyber Liability Insurance Director for USI Insurance Services’ Executive & Professional Risk Solutions Practice (EPS)
Step onto the cyber arena with our playbook session tailored for agribusiness champions. We will delve into current market trends in cybersecurity, learn actionable steps to elevate your security awareness and refine your cyber game plan. From defensive maneuvers to offensive strategies, this session equips agribusiness professionals with the playbook needed to outsmart cyber threats and keep their operations in a league of their own.
Personal Foul, Targeting! Are the Refs (OSHA) Throwing More Flags (Citations) Against Grain Handlers?: Presented by Aaron Gelb, Co-Managing Partner, Conn Maciel Carey, an OSHA-defense law firm, and Derrick Bruhn, General Manager, Topflight Grain
Aaron Gelb, Co-Managing Partner of Conn Maciel Carey, an OSHA-defense law firm, and Derrick Bruhn, General Manager of Topflight Grain Cooperative will discuss the five most common bin entry safety challenges and why Illinois grain handlers need to address them given today’s enforcement-focused regulatory environment. Attendees will not need a Hail Mary to avoid citations as this session will provide valuable insights into OSHA’s playbook and identify best practices to protect your employees like a good offensive line protects the quarterback!
Building and Retaining Your Dream Team: Presented by Dustin Toberman, Founder of OmniAg Consulting
Today’s most successful organizations understand that building a winning roster is a delicate balance of a deep farm system, supplemented with a few key free agents. Landing a top recruit can mean the difference between winning it all and missing the playoffs altogether, however, signing top talent means nothing without development. In this discussion we’ll break down what today’s prized recruits are looking for in an organization and how to keep them playing for you instead of hitting free agency.
MVP of Soybean Oil Demand: How Biofuels are Leading Profitability: Presented by Andrew Larson, Director of Government Relations & Strategy for the Illinois Soybean Association
From traditional FAME biodiesel to the California Renewable Diesel boom the demand for soybean oil as a reliable and efficient feedstock for renewable fuels has rippled through the soybean industry. The emergence of SAF and policies supporting the use of soybean oil around the country can change the market even further. How will these changes impact the industry and the demand for beans in the next five, ten, and even twenty years?
Rules of the Game: Achieving Success as a Cooperative: Presented by James Grebe and Kyle Tompkins, Attorneys at Law, Hasselberg Grebe Snodgrass
Urban & Wentworth
Join us for a dynamic session where we dive into the world of cooperative board governance! Just like a well-coached team, cooperative boards need to follow the playbook (bylaws and regulations) while avoiding penalties. We'll explore the essential do's and don'ts of cooperative board operations and other important plays to be made. Whether you're a seasoned board member or a rookie, this session will equip you with the skills to lead your cooperative to victory!
General Session Speakers
Monday Afternoon
Game Changers for Resilient Ag Supply Chains: Optimization, Data-Driven Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence: Presented by Dr. Yanfeng Ouyangg, a George Krambles Professor, Paul Kent Faculty Scholar, and Donald Willett Faculty Scholar at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Lead on the Food Security Thrust at the Center for Digital Agriculture, and Associate Director of the Illinois Center for Transportation.
The Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was formed to help agricultural producers, researchers, and industries keep pace with the ways technology is transforming how we feed and support a growing global population. Dr. Ouyang will explain how research in logistics network optimization, data-driven decision-making, and AI applications will impact grain supply chains and farming. CDA's initiatives, like the Illinois Autonomous Farm and Digital Agriculture Data Collaboratory, focus on diverse areas such as autonomous crop production, soil science, and precision farming using robotics, sensors, machine learning, and data science. Topics covered include supply chain design, resource planning to minimize post-harvest loss and shipment congestion, robotics and sensor development, machine vision for crop and livestock monitoring, and mechanical weeding. This session is a great opportunity to see the future game plans in agriculture!
Tuesday Morning
2024 Game Plan: Industry Policy and Regulatory Updates with NGFA: Presented by Michael Seyfert, President of NGFA
Get ready for a power play of industry insights as NGFA President Michael Seyfert takes the stage. In this session, Seyfert will update the audience on federal legislative and regulatory challenges facing the industry. Be in the front row to catch the playbook for 2024, as Seyfert reveals the strategic goals and initiatives that NGFA will be tackling in the upcoming game of agricultural advocacy.
Fast Track to Success - Rail and the Grain Industry in 2024: Presented by Jarad Farmer, Director of Grain Sales - North America, CPCK Railway
We'll hear about the progress CPKC has made since their 2023 merger, which created the first and only single-line railway connecting Canada, the US, and Mexico. This strategic move expands market reach and ensures reliable service in the grain industry. Additionally, we'll discuss the CPKC’s industry leading 8500’ HEP train model; and, their work in the ESG space (Environmental-Social-Governance initiatives) through the latest technology and business practices.
High Impact Weather For “Base Hit” Farming: Presented by Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Weather risk in production agriculture is ubiquitous and the successful execution of a crop plan requires accurate weather forecasting and analysis. We plan our operations based on weather averages and our experiences over recent growing seasons, but each year presents a new set of weather challenges. In this talk we will focus on how to use the abundance of weather data to stay ahead of disruptive weather events. We will talk about the limits of predictability for weather events and learn about the resources available to monitor changes in the longer-range forecasts. We will talk about disruptive technologies in predictive analytics – like Artificial Intelligence. We will review the major lessons from the 2023 growing season and talk about the high impact events like widespread hail damage, Midwest and Southern US Drought, and the hurricane season. We will talk about the big seasonal drivers like El Niño and La Niña discuss the outlook for the next 3-9 months. We will finish with a discussion about the 2023-24 growing season in South America, which competes directly with major US commodity crops.
Game Changers for Resilient Ag Supply Chains: Optimization, Data-Driven Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence: Presented by Dr. Yanfeng Ouyangg, a George Krambles Professor, Paul Kent Faculty Scholar, and Donald Willett Faculty Scholar at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Lead on the Food Security Thrust at the Center for Digital Agriculture, and Associate Director of the Illinois Center for Transportation.
The Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was formed to help agricultural producers, researchers, and industries keep pace with the ways technology is transforming how we feed and support a growing global population. Dr. Ouyang will explain how research in logistics network optimization, data-driven decision-making, and AI applications will impact grain supply chains and farming. CDA's initiatives, like the Illinois Autonomous Farm and Digital Agriculture Data Collaboratory, focus on diverse areas such as autonomous crop production, soil science, and precision farming using robotics, sensors, machine learning, and data science. Topics covered include supply chain design, resource planning to minimize post-harvest loss and shipment congestion, robotics and sensor development, machine vision for crop and livestock monitoring, and mechanical weeding. This session is a great opportunity to see the future game plans in agriculture!
Tuesday Morning
2024 Game Plan: Industry Policy and Regulatory Updates with NGFA: Presented by Michael Seyfert, President of NGFA
Get ready for a power play of industry insights as NGFA President Michael Seyfert takes the stage. In this session, Seyfert will update the audience on federal legislative and regulatory challenges facing the industry. Be in the front row to catch the playbook for 2024, as Seyfert reveals the strategic goals and initiatives that NGFA will be tackling in the upcoming game of agricultural advocacy.
Fast Track to Success - Rail and the Grain Industry in 2024: Presented by Jarad Farmer, Director of Grain Sales - North America, CPCK Railway
We'll hear about the progress CPKC has made since their 2023 merger, which created the first and only single-line railway connecting Canada, the US, and Mexico. This strategic move expands market reach and ensures reliable service in the grain industry. Additionally, we'll discuss the CPKC’s industry leading 8500’ HEP train model; and, their work in the ESG space (Environmental-Social-Governance initiatives) through the latest technology and business practices.
High Impact Weather For “Base Hit” Farming: Presented by Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist, Nutrien Ag Solutions
Weather risk in production agriculture is ubiquitous and the successful execution of a crop plan requires accurate weather forecasting and analysis. We plan our operations based on weather averages and our experiences over recent growing seasons, but each year presents a new set of weather challenges. In this talk we will focus on how to use the abundance of weather data to stay ahead of disruptive weather events. We will talk about the limits of predictability for weather events and learn about the resources available to monitor changes in the longer-range forecasts. We will talk about disruptive technologies in predictive analytics – like Artificial Intelligence. We will review the major lessons from the 2023 growing season and talk about the high impact events like widespread hail damage, Midwest and Southern US Drought, and the hurricane season. We will talk about the big seasonal drivers like El Niño and La Niña discuss the outlook for the next 3-9 months. We will finish with a discussion about the 2023-24 growing season in South America, which competes directly with major US commodity crops.
Convention Agenda
Sunday, February 18
Exhibitor Set Up & Registration 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Trade Show Open 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Scholarship Meet & Greet 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm *First 150 people receive a gift! Reception in the Trade Show 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Casino Night at Hotel 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm *Free event to all convention registrants |
Monday, February 19
Registration 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Legislative Council For Better 7:30 am - 8:30 am Government Breakfast (ticketed event) Trade Show Open 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Breakfast 7:30 am - 9:00 am General Session, Annual 9:00 am - 11:00 am Meeting, Live Auction Educational Sessions 11:15 am - 12:00 pm Lunch in the Trade Show 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Educational Sessions 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm Break in the Trade Show 2:25 pm - 2:45 pm Afternoon General Session 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm Reception in the Trade Show 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Draw Down Raffle Drawing 4:15 pm Trade Show Game Winner 4:30 pm Exhibitor Booth Winner Announced Silent Auction Closes 4:45 pm Exhibitor Tear Down 5:00 pm |
Tuesday, February 20
Breakfast 7:00 am - 9:00 am Closing General Session 8:00 am - 10:30 am |